Apple's Foldable iPhone Prototype in Testing, Foldable iPad Put on Hold [Report]

Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone has reportedly entered its initial prototype phase, with supply chain sources confirming the project kicked off in June. According to a new report from DigiTimes, if development proceeds on schedule, the device could complete testing by the end of 2025 and move toward a launch in the second half of 2026.

Sources familiar with the matter say Apple had also been exploring a larger foldable iPad but has paused that project to focus on the iPhone. The decision is attributed to manufacturing challenges, the high cost of flexible display tech, and weaker-than-expected consumer demand for large-screen foldables. This follows earlier rumors that Apple was planning to launch two foldable devices in 2026 and was testing an 18.8-inch prototype.

Talk of a foldable iPhone has swirled for years, but concrete progress remained out of sight—until now. While Android competitors have raced ahead with foldable models, Apple has taken a far more cautious route. Industry sources say the company's foldable iPhone has been in the works for over five years, undergoing more than ten redesigns along the way. That reputation for perfectionism means suppliers are approaching the project with caution, treating each step as provisional. The project is currently in its initial P1 phase, to be followed by P2 and P3 before it can move to the Engineering Verification Test (EVT) stage. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously noted that key components like the hinge are still being finalized.


Initial shipment estimates for the foldable iPhone are around 7 million units, though the market it's entering has shown signs of slowing. Global foldable phone shipments are projected to see only modest growth in 2025, according to DIGITIMES Research. Apple is also expected to launch an ultra-thin iPhone this year to help reverse declining shipment volumes, but the tepid sales of Samsung's recently launched ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge could foreshadow broader demand challenges.

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